Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF personnel took part in the Green Flag Exercise with the Royal Saudi Air Force; for what reason that exercise took place; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Exercise Saudi British Green Flag is a regular training event, designed to demonstrate the UK's commitment to regional security and is an opportunity to show how the UK and Saudi Arabia can work together if required. The latest iteration involved 208 RAF personnel.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guidance the Government provides to (a) Saudi-based UK military personnel and (b) private contractors to the MoD under Saudi armed forces project on reporting suspicions of violations of international humanitarian law.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Military personnel, wherever they are serving, would be expected to report any concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law through submissions to their chain of command.
We expect any UK-contractors providing support under the Saudi Armed Forces Projects who might witness or otherwise receive information on violations of international humanitarian law to report it through their companies.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government plans to support the construction of a frigate factory on the River Clyde.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The previously proposed Modern Dock Hall, referred to colloquially as the 'Frigate Factory', was thoroughly investigated by BAE Systems but ultimately they concluded that the cost and level of associated risk did not represent value for money. The Ministry of Defence was consulted and agreed with their conclusion.
The National Shipbuilding Strategy was clear that all Royal Navy warships will be built and integrated in the UK. The Type 26 frigates are being built on the Clyde, securing a total of 4,000 jobs across the UK supply chain and 20 years of work. Since 2010 this Government has invested more than £6 billion in shipbuilding in the UK, securing thousands of jobs. In 2018-19 we expect to spend in excess of £750 million supporting the fleet.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the armed forces of the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) and other Government Departments to ensure that we can address the implications and realise the opportunities of the UK's withdrawal from the EU, including the effect on our Armed Forces.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether restrictions have been placed on the work of Saudi-based UK (a) military personnel and (b) private contractors to his Department, in relation to the (i) preparation, (ii) maintenance and (iii) operational use of air-delivered weapons used in the conflict in Yemen.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
UK-contracted personnel, including UK military personnel on secondment to BAE Systems, support the safe storage and issue of weapons from their place of storage to an end user, in accordance with long-standing government-to-government arrangements.
They do not load weapons for operations in Yemen, nor are they involved in the planning of operational sorties.
The UK Government operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what preparations his Department has made for the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) and other Government Departments to ensure that we can address the implications and realise the opportunities of the UK's withdrawal from the EU, including the effect on our Armed Forces.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to improve (a) housing and (b) lodgings for armed forces personnel.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Quality accommodation is very important for Defence and a key enabler of operational capability. The Ministry of Defence continues to make improvements to the Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and Single Living Accommodation (SLA) estate.
In addition to routine maintenance, we have invested in improving energy efficiency through the provision of new boilers, doors and windows, roofs, and external wall insulation.
Additionally, we have installed thousands of new kitchens and bathrooms to provide our Armed Forces and their families with modern facilities. The number of properties that meet the Government Decent Homes standard has increased significantly and now sits at more than 95% of our total stock.
The Single Living Accommodation Modernisation project, has been one of the largest new build and refurbishment projects in the UK and has delivered successful renovations and constructions on 52 locations from Scotland to Cornwall over the last 15 years with over £1.2 billion invested; and we continue to invest in both of these areas.
In parallel, we are developing new accommodation options for service personnel through the Future Accommodation Model programme.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will review his Department's policy on the right of armed forces personnel to join a (a) trades union and (b) political party.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Regular Armed Forces personnel may become members of civilian trade unions and political parties. Armed Forces personnel are however not permitted to participate in industrial action or take any active part in the affairs of political organisation, party or movement. Personnel are expected to abide by Queen's Regulations and act in accordance with Service values and standards.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the enhanced effective pension age of 60 years has not been introduced for Ministry of Defence Police Officers following a recent requirement for those officers to comply with College of Policing fitness standards.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Treasury and Cabinet Office Ministers have previously given consideration to the merits of introducing an enhanced effective pension age of 60 years for Ministry of Defence Police Officers, but have not been minded to make such a change on the grounds that this would conflict with a key principle of the Government pension reforms that increased longevity requires longer working lives.
Asked by: Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the security of UK waters in the North Atlantic.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps the security of UK waters in the North Atlantic under constant review, we consider the activity of both state and non-state actors. I shall not go into further detail for reasons of safeguarding national security. As part of NATO the MOD and the Royal Navy work seamlessly with Allies to keep our waters safe and secure.